“!Now Ya Know” is a weekly series from Mixologi profiling artists you may not have heard of. Every week we will be selecting a new artist for you to keep on your radar.
Hard core hip-hop fans know about all about them, but the group has yet to have a crossover hit, and many folks are still a little confused about what this whole Slaughterhouse deal is all about. Mixologi would like to let you in on this group’s dopeness, and the various reasons you should love and support these 4 musical rebels.
The best thing about Slaughterhouse, is the fact that they actually exist. It’s made up of Royce 5’9, Joel Ortiz, Crooked I, and Joe Budden- all rappers who have seen various levels of independent success in their own right and had no real motivation to come together other than for the love of music. There are a lot of factors that would suggest this group just wouldn’t work out. First you have a rapper’s ego…enough said. Then there is the traditional 3-verse format they would have to break in order for each one of them to get on a track. Add to that creative differences, legalities around their record deals, scheduling issues, and the overall recent lack of rap group record sales, and it’s a wonder how such genius came together.
SlaughterHouse over came all of these pitfalls and were rewarded for it by signing with Eminem’s Shady Records. They did so by a sheer dedication to lyricism. Each verse on every one of their tracks is deadly, well thought out and delivered, and flat out ferocious. Not doubt about it, this is hard-core rap. When listening to their albums, it’s clear they benefit from competition, each member seemingly out doing the next, to the point where its hard to tell who’s verse you like the best. I think getting to know the rappers will help you appreciate the group a little better, so here is a quick breakdown.
Royce Da 5’9 (Detroit)- Probably the fastest rapper in the group. He came up with Eminem and is lyrically one of the best rappers in the game, along with possessing a talent for unorthodox delivery.
Crooked I (Long Beach)- I consider him the best rapper on the west coast. Extremely dope, creative punch lines, with the perfect blend of being a conscious and a gangster rapper. I first heard Crooked on this track on Krupt’s Tha Streets is a Mutha, and have been a huge fan ever since. Crooked I had a failed stint with Death Row Records, but seems to have finally found his home with Shady records.
Joell Ortiz (Brooklyn)- Joel has been in the game for a while, and was even once signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath. He has a very deliberate delivery, is heavy on the punch lines, and never seems to take himself too seriously, all while maintaining his verbal intensity.
Joe Budden (Jersey City)- Prior to listening to Slaughterhouse, I never really thought much of Joe Budden. Turns out, his biggest hit, Pump it Up, is not a great representation of his lyrical skills. I’ve come to really respect Joe Budden as an MC. He initially comes off monotone, but if you pay attention, he is always killing it.
Check out their video “Hammer Dance”
“Just a real nigga, straight from my mother’s stomach
Ain’t enough cloth for all of us to be cut from it
Not decided by who toast led
Cause all of us would be angels for Pujols’ bread” – Joe Budden
